Central America International Flight Cost

Central America is fairly small can be covered with a light single engine aircraft. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that flying isn’t cheap, but when flying across the borders you must consider additional costs for permissions, parking, handling fees, passenger departure taxes, higher fuel prices, and potentially others.

Here are some examples of flights including cost components and approximate amounts. These are based on my experience and might vary any time. I would highly recommend using a handler when flying in Central America. Sure, you can handle everything on your own, but it might take much longer and things might just not go as smooth. My “go-to-gal” is Lei from VM Flight Services. The company is based out of Guatemala and they can point to handlers in other countries. You can contact her via email leimorales(add)gmail.com or mobile/whatsapp +502 4040 0969. Please note that the below handler fees outside Guatemala are from handlers other than VM Flight Services.

Handlers can be expensive and if you are not in a rush, do-it-yourself might just work fine. Please note that not all handling fees might be saved. In some occasions there might be additional cost included that can not be avoided. Please share your experience… i.e. I am wondering if a $100 tow fee can be avoided by taxing to the pane to the parking location.

For in-country flights in Costa Rica, a temporary flight permit has to be requested. This permits is valid for 3 months. Only a single 3 month period can be requested every 12 months. The permit costs about $150. There were no additional costs at the Quepos airport.

A fuel stop in Ilopango, El Salvador (MSSS) added another $5 in fees to the above. Depending on your aircraft, you might be able to complete the return flight without the additional stop.

Footnotes:These fees apply to a single-engine Cessna T210 with a 3800lb maximum gross weight. Some fees are based on gross weight and might vary accordingly. Also note that these examples were for a North America N registered planes. Central America registered planes might not have to pay all fees.

* Even in an aircraft that can be flown by a single pilot, other pilots with a valid pilot certificate often don’t have to pay the passenger tax. So, bring your certificate even if you don’t fly yourself!

** So apparently flying below 19,000ft in Honduras costs $196 and flying above 19,000ft costs only about $50 to protect that flight. I would expect it the other way around. Since my aircraft has a turbo and a service ceiling above 19,000ft, I want to trying requesting 20,000ft to see what happens. I would be very interested about what others have been told, please let me know.

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